(April 22, 1451–November 26, 1504), was the Queen of Castile, who in 1481 married Ferdinand II, King of Aragon, thereby unifying Christian Spain. They successfully drove the Moors from Granada and financed Christopher Columbus’ expedition to the Indies, which resulted in the discovery of America.
In her commission to Columbus, Queen Isabella recited that the purpose of the voyage was:
For the Glory of God. … it is hoped that by God’s assistance some of the continents and islands in the oceans will be discovered.63
Queen Isabella informed the Pope of Columbus’ attempt:
To bear the light of Christ west to the heathen undiscovered lands.64
On February 15, 1493, near the end of his return voyage from having discovered America, Christopher Columbus sent correspondence to their Highnesses, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, from on board the ship Caravel anchored off the Canary Islands. He included in this correspondence a letter addressed to Luis de Sant Angel, Treasurer of Aragon and Chancellor of the Exchequer, who had helped substantially in fitting out Columbus’ expedition:
Praise be to our eternal God, our Lord, who gives to all those who walk in His ways victory over all things which seem impossible; of which this is signally one, for, although others have spoken or written concerning these countries, it was all conjecture, as no one could say that he had seen them—it amounting only to this, that those who heard listened the more, and regarded the matter rather as a fable than anything else.
But our Redeemer has granted this victory to our illustrious King and Queen and their kingdoms, which have acquired great fame by an event of such high importance, in which all Christendom ought to rejoice, and which it ought to celebrate with great festivals and the offering of solemn thanks to the Holy Trinity with many sincere prayers, both for the great exaltation which may accrue to them in turning so many nations to our holy faith, and also for the temporal benefits which will bring great refreshment and gain, not only to Spain, but to all Christians.
Done on board the Caravel, off the Canary Islands, on the fifteenth day of February, Fourteen hundred and ninety-three. At your orders,
The Admiral.65